Thursday, May 09, 2013 3:45:33 AMThere's a marked box junction there. Their existence is so people will NOT enter the box junction unless their exit is clear. All of these people are breaking the rule.

Wednesday, May 08, 2013 10:43:28 AM"I know it's not Seattle but it makes me think...If Microsoft can manage to get all the bits in and out of a pc why can't they help Sea figure out their terrible traffic?"

Wednesday, May 08, 2013 12:26:22 AMI know it's not Seattle but it makes me think...If Microsoft can manage to get all the bits in and out of a pc why can't they help Sea figure out their terrible traffic?

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 11:34:20 PMOld Ollie: We've had a number of smallish ones installed in my city over the last few years, replacing 4-way stops. The centers are nicely planted, and the sole rule is "yield to cars already in the circle", aka "watch for cars on your left." Most drivers seem to be handling them quite well, although the odd one takes them to be an invitation to blast blindly through.

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 10:35:29 PM"F*CKING HUMANS!!! The robots aren't even going to see us as descent machine oil!"

I think Google Autopilot cars are going to get abused and cut up by a-hole road users who know that the robot will break to avoid a collision. Playing chicken with a robot is easy. Once you figure out its algorithm, you know it's going to give in.

We put a roundabout in my town, and almost NOBODY has a clue how it works. They drive up to the entrance and come to a full stop before it even occurs to them to look at the traffic. If there's another car that's even close, they'll sit there and wait...and wait...and wait. On a slightly busy day, the entrances will back up 5-10 cars deep.

The only time I EVER stop there is when there's a brain-dead f***tard stopped in front of me which, unfortunately, is most of the time. These @$$holes will run a stop coming out of a parking lot before the roundabout just so they can get in front of me and stop cold.

I swear, one of these days, I'm going to buy and old beater 3/4 ton truck and strap a railroad tie to the front. Then let 'em try to pull that bull$#!+ on me!

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 8:58:51 PM@ Draculya: I'm sure you're right about all that. As an American, though, I have to say that photo of yours looks to me like the "Six-Armed Ninja Throwing Star of Traffic Chaos." I would have *no* clue of what to do if I came upon that thing. LOL

Tuesday, May 07, 2013 8:42:26 PMWhat I often see happenning: One road leading away becomes congested to the point where it causes one feeder road to miss its green light once or multiple times. Drivers say 'f this, I'm not missing another light and move into the box. Drivers in other lanes are pissed that law and order is breaking down and go into the box, causing gridlock.

That's why the British roundabout works well. Just give way to the right (or left if you drive on the left). Driver has a good view of oncoming traffic. Once in the flow, it is easy to get out. The only problem is if Americans get confused and go the wrong way or freeze. It's simple really; here's an illustration: